Coupled FPEDs using springs for broadband energy harvesting

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Tanaka, Yoshikazu^a; | Koyama, Hiroaki^a | Odake, Satoru^a | Mutsuda, Hidemi^a | Popov, Atanas A.^b | Patel, Rupesh^b | McWilliam, Stewart^b

Affiliations: [a] Graduate School of Engineering, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan | [b] Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Yoshikazu Tanaka, 1-4-1 Kagamiyama, Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8527, Japan. Tel.: +81 82 424 7814; Fax: +81 82 422 7194; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: In this paper, flexible piezoelectric devices (FPEDs) connected by springs are discussed with the aim of improving operational bandwidth of an energy harvesting system. A theoretical method, based on beam theory, electromechanical coupling and the transfer matrix method, is presented for calculating displacement and voltage responses. Validity of the presented method is discussed by comparison with experimental results, which are obtained from coupled FPEDs excited by a shaker. The effects on system behaviour of attaching springs is discussed based on both the presented method and experimental results.

Keywords: Piezoelectric film, flexible piezoelectric device, renewable energy, theoretical analysis method, forced vibration, engine vibration

DOI: 10.3233/JAE-171007

Journal: International Journal of Applied Electromagnetics and Mechanics, vol. 59, no. 2, pp. 557-565, 2019